Empagliflozin (Jardiance): benefits beyond blood sugar and side effects

By the Medsmingle Team · Updated 13 November 2026

This is a prescription medicine. Only take it if it has been prescribed for you after a medical assessment, and follow your doctor’s and pharmacist’s instructions.

Empagliflozin (Jardiance) is an SGLT2 inhibitor used for type 2 diabetes. It also lowers the risk of heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death, and slows kidney disease, so it’s prescribed for heart failure and chronic kidney disease even in some people without diabetes.

How it works

It makes the kidneys pass extra sugar out in the urine, lowering blood sugar and, slightly, weight and blood pressure.

Side effects

• Genital yeast infections (itching, discharge), the most common; good hygiene helps
• Urinary tract infections
• Peeing more and thirst; dehydration and dizziness

Rare but serious: get urgent help

• Ketoacidosis, even without very high blood sugar: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, trouble breathing
• Pain, swelling or redness in the genital or anal area with fever (rare serious infection)
• Signs of a kidney infection

Safety tips

• Discuss an appropriate fluid plan, especially if you have heart failure, kidney disease or a fluid restriction. Contact your clinician if vomiting or diarrhea makes you dehydrated.
• Ask for a written plan before surgery, prolonged fasting or serious illness, including when to pause and restart treatment.
• Low blood sugar is more likely if combined with insulin or sulfonylureas

Frequently asked questions

Does Jardiance cause weight loss?

Usually a modest loss of a few pounds.

Why does it cause yeast infections?

Extra sugar in urine encourages yeast growth.

For questions about a prescription or symptoms, speak with your own doctor or pharmacist. For website enquiries, contact our team.

General information only. It isn’t a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Source and further reading

MedlinePlus patient medicine information. This overview does not list every warning or interaction.